tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37229857049204108562018-03-05T16:28:16.221-08:00RAM AmericaRAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-9389163040973483202012-07-02T19:29:00.001-07:002012-07-07T09:43:59.835-07:00'Have a Magical Day'Today was a surreal day. It was the first day we didn't ride our bikes, let alone look at our bikes. Last night after spending a wonderful afternoon with my family and friends, my mom took our bikes in her van as we stayed in Gainesville. Unlike every other morning, we showered! Then, instead of getting on our bikes and riding, we got into a car. We drove the equivalent of 2 biking days. Brian, Robyn, and I all car pooled to Disney World, something else that was surreal. We end this amazing journey of self-inspired, self-powered, and self-challenging feats at a place that is almost the polar opposite of what we did for the past month. Robyn loves Disney, so her excitement grew on me, and Brian helped fuel the final 'rest day' (or bonus day). We spent the day buzzing around people, waiting in line, getting 'fast passes' and taking part in what the amusement park had to offer.<br /><br />Throughout the day, I couldn't help to think, 'I am going back to Seattle tomorrow.' How bizarre. <br /><br />So, here we are. This adventure, that evoked many emotions, is now coming to an end. We are going to start new adventures in Seattle, with different perspectives, different views on life. Personally, I am left in this state of awe. I am so grateful to have a friend (Robyn) who stuck it out through the end, who let me plan a map and never questioned it -and never complained when we had to bike extra miles because of a wrong turn, who supported me when I had low moments, and saw my excitement and helped build upon that. There was a moment, when I was within earshot, that Robyn was explaining what I do for a living (repair musical instruments). Hearing her, it reminded me that, yes I have an awesome career that makes and impact in others' lives. So often I would get wrapped up with a day-to-day routine, that I forget those aspects. I am also so, so thankful for the friends and strangers we met along the way, that went out of their way to treat us to a drink, meal, place to crash, so our journey would be a little easier. I know I said it before, but I am humbled from the kindness of others. That has been a huge impact on me from this trip. <br /><br />I also want to take a second to thank our parents for being so supportive - this had to have been a journey that hopefully excited you all, but ultimately I'm sure it worried you as well. Thanks for listening to our stories of triumph, as well as our blurbs of whines. Hopefully, you relish in the fact that you raised two girls that had an idea, planned, had bumps in the road (literally and figuratively!), and completed a journey that we will take with us for the rest of our lives. <br /><br />A special thanks to my mom for being so, SO helpful. You went out of your way so much to get us where we needed to be, feed us, house us (plus two more!). I probably don't say it enough, but I love ya!<br /><br />I leave you all with a few photos of our last biking day and our day at Disney. Another thanks to Brian for going out of his way to bring us a feast while camping, take us to Disney, and spend your time hanging out with two people who can only talk about what went down in the past month. <br /><br />"Forward, not backward."<br />-M<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-foAF5tJVrpg/T_JY8aiKbLI/AAAAAAAAAic/aVcVeqSp0MM/s640/blogger-image-1153906592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-foAF5tJVrpg/T_JY8aiKbLI/AAAAAAAAAic/aVcVeqSp0MM/s640/blogger-image-1153906592.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q3aJgZRBpgg/T_JY82om4ZI/AAAAAAAAAik/C4XSfnQMwAs/s640/blogger-image-109436484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q3aJgZRBpgg/T_JY82om4ZI/AAAAAAAAAik/C4XSfnQMwAs/s640/blogger-image-109436484.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kdlAiocXgeo/T_JY9iYZ3jI/AAAAAAAAAis/b3Py40XGLl8/s640/blogger-image-134193953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kdlAiocXgeo/T_JY9iYZ3jI/AAAAAAAAAis/b3Py40XGLl8/s640/blogger-image-134193953.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HkbsHY0d8n4/T_JY-ItSk1I/AAAAAAAAAi0/_rTPKBcAGuY/s640/blogger-image--2128933359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HkbsHY0d8n4/T_JY-ItSk1I/AAAAAAAAAi0/_rTPKBcAGuY/s640/blogger-image--2128933359.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dBK83VkCSYI/T_JY-6JpC4I/AAAAAAAAAi8/aKGJUp6KDKI/s640/blogger-image-427216597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dBK83VkCSYI/T_JY-6JpC4I/AAAAAAAAAi8/aKGJUp6KDKI/s640/blogger-image-427216597.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5LeN_D0UWek/T_JY_RK8KKI/AAAAAAAAAjE/xIU3ykohpXg/s640/blogger-image-781592015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5LeN_D0UWek/T_JY_RK8KKI/AAAAAAAAAjE/xIU3ykohpXg/s640/blogger-image-781592015.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wyITgKt6h4/T_JY_2U5w9I/AAAAAAAAAjM/CX05m3-OxXU/s640/blogger-image--836373951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wyITgKt6h4/T_JY_2U5w9I/AAAAAAAAAjM/CX05m3-OxXU/s640/blogger-image--836373951.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-92159773796104408972012-07-02T05:31:00.001-07:002012-07-07T09:44:56.948-07:00Day thirty-one: funny thing about the end...it sneaks up on you.<br />With conceiving and planning included, we have been thinking about this trip for almost a year. For the longest time it felt too far to really be happening, once we got started it seemed like it would last forever. We are flying back to Seattle tomorrow but even now it feels like we are just going to wake up at the crack of dawn and ride all day long to a place I have never been before. Where and when does this "real life" occur? <br />We rode 1465 miles, went to fourteen states, took five ferries and three trains, I got four flats, Marie broke her chain, went through three bottles of sunscreen, eight strangers took us in off the street, we made new friends, saw old friends, made our way into other peoples vacations, survived! To anyone who thinks they cannot go on a bike tour, that they don't have the time, make the time. You can do it. And it is totally worth it.<br />RRAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-54375788848599274612012-06-30T21:29:00.001-07:002012-06-30T21:29:15.467-07:00100 and what degrees?Wheeeeeew! It was a hot one, the south really knows how to turn on the heat! Walking outside at 7am I broke a sweat. We said our goodbyes to my family, who were wonderful and great to catch up with, and got on our way. <br /><br />Today can be summed up in, REST STOPS. It was so, so hot. We got about 30 miles under our belt, and then we started to feel the warm, southern sun. At that point, it was 'get through the next 7 miles to the next air conditioned cafe so we can rest.' There were not a lot of substantial towns after we left Brunswick, thus 'little' biking goals became essential. Another aspect for our breaks now involved AIR CONDITIONING. Stopping in the New England states, we could rest in the shade and feel refreshed. Now, stopping outside and, though being in the shade, we are not gaining much from it. On top of that, any extra water we carry instantly becomes warm. <br /><br />We did a 'leap frog'/'yo-yo' with Hannah and Ning throughout the day, until Yulee, where the serious rest stops happened. After going about 7 miles between each stop, we finally arrived at Fort Clinch SP, where a dismal cloud tried to form over us. The ranger informed us he only had 3 sites left, that had been previously turned down bc they were, 'blistering hot and offered no shade.' Well, we had to 'check it out before we could commit,' so we biked the 2 miles out to it. With the setting sun and some playing time on the beach, we took it. Perfect! (I by the way biked the extra 4 miles to go back, register and pay for the site, and head to the water, please add that to my overall tally).<br /><br />The spot is beautiful. Breezy now that the sun is down. Brian, a friend from Gainesville, drove down to splash in the water and camp with us. He also brought a feast. So many foods we haven't eaten! Yum!<br /><br />Now, we are just relaxing and getting ready for the big day. Our last day! I cannot believe this journey is coming to an end. Kevin gave us a great quote, 'The days are long, but the years are short.' So true. <br /><br />Cheers to family and friends,<br />-M<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7tnDYqNCIUU/T-_R5vbndfI/AAAAAAAAAhU/LwkgM-5wYm0/s640/blogger-image--105527829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7tnDYqNCIUU/T-_R5vbndfI/AAAAAAAAAhU/LwkgM-5wYm0/s640/blogger-image--105527829.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-klRu5AILPig/T-_SDRFKSaI/AAAAAAAAAhc/nstxSFcoIbA/s640/blogger-image-728647906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-klRu5AILPig/T-_SDRFKSaI/AAAAAAAAAhc/nstxSFcoIbA/s640/blogger-image-728647906.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dvR4gA9Mqr4/T-_SD7iVywI/AAAAAAAAAhk/boWeJYTj5kI/s640/blogger-image--1880470645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dvR4gA9Mqr4/T-_SD7iVywI/AAAAAAAAAhk/boWeJYTj5kI/s640/blogger-image--1880470645.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DxTXiSmTOeo/T-_SFdFxmsI/AAAAAAAAAhs/2HXorn2sLqQ/s640/blogger-image-1917126398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DxTXiSmTOeo/T-_SFdFxmsI/AAAAAAAAAhs/2HXorn2sLqQ/s640/blogger-image-1917126398.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tzHHH8dajhU/T-_SGRW2rVI/AAAAAAAAAh0/T127CY4BmDg/s640/blogger-image-1654440492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tzHHH8dajhU/T-_SGRW2rVI/AAAAAAAAAh0/T127CY4BmDg/s640/blogger-image-1654440492.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-794174688998064492012-06-29T20:17:00.001-07:002012-06-29T20:26:54.456-07:00Day twenty-eight: long, hot dayAustin and Deirdre were excellent warm showers hosts for us yesterday! Delicious pasta dinner topped off with limoncello then waffles in the morning, yes. <br />Got out early and after finding our way out of the neighborhood we were in, had a smooth and efficient start to our ride. Then it got hot. Really hot! We ended up doing about 90 miles in 100 degree heat. Took us about 12 hours including all of the oh so necessary breaks along the way. Hannah and Ning ended up deciding to come all the way to Brunswick, Georgia where we are now all camped out in Marie's grandparent's living room. Wonder how they feel about covering all those miles... but there wasn't much between Savannah and here and we are glad they caught up to us. (Hannah was saying that if we sent postcards from all of the places we actually went they would all be from Starbucks and gas stations.) She and I both got flats in rapid succession when it was finally cooling down and we were finally getting closer. Rolled in just after 8:00 right before the sun went down, whew! Plenty of food waiting for us and the perfect temperature pool to rinse the day off. Thanks so much for the great southern hospitality, excellent cookies.<br />R<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Cr4PxaGhZNo/T-5vxCcVg8I/AAAAAAAAAgU/GkYzrpKhyPM/s640/blogger-image--1313034852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Cr4PxaGhZNo/T-5vxCcVg8I/AAAAAAAAAgU/GkYzrpKhyPM/s640/blogger-image--1313034852.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VxmA0oBNKCc/T-5vxpg1KfI/AAAAAAAAAgc/5a8c0Yh0qOo/s640/blogger-image--249378073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VxmA0oBNKCc/T-5vxpg1KfI/AAAAAAAAAgc/5a8c0Yh0qOo/s640/blogger-image--249378073.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8keR9o09IQM/T-5vyGnzmMI/AAAAAAAAAgk/voempEEfgE8/s640/blogger-image--411764327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8keR9o09IQM/T-5vyGnzmMI/AAAAAAAAAgk/voempEEfgE8/s640/blogger-image--411764327.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bEn_8lfGxS8/T-5vyY3PHpI/AAAAAAAAAgs/qWWXkvA8u58/s640/blogger-image-145321335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bEn_8lfGxS8/T-5vyY3PHpI/AAAAAAAAAgs/qWWXkvA8u58/s640/blogger-image-145321335.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BBbPi3We2S0/T-5vyj8GgAI/AAAAAAAAAg0/ntLIoFJtY0c/s640/blogger-image--1128713804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BBbPi3We2S0/T-5vyj8GgAI/AAAAAAAAAg0/ntLIoFJtY0c/s640/blogger-image--1128713804.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-5058666645146812572012-06-28T13:30:00.001-07:002012-06-28T13:33:05.100-07:00...And Then A Wreck Happened Next To MeLast night, after being on some sort of 'life high' from meeting new people, I put my head down on the pillow, and for the first time, I could not get to sleep. Can loud cicadas really keep a person up after 85 mi of biking? I guess so. <br /><br />We awoke this morning with our usual routine - Robyn packs the tent while I cook the grub. Our swanky campsite had a 'coffee shop,' so though I was out of coffee beans, I could still get my fix. We got on the road, with our new friends, Hannah and Ning. Pretty easy biking for the most part today - though they bike a little faster than us. <br /><br />Highlights of the biking: beautiful southern swamps and rivers. The others saw an alligator, but I was focused on not getting pummeled by a semi on a bridge, that I was not looking for it. We also had a double-rear-end-collision happen right next to us (it was about 2 feet to my left, it was so close, I thought I was the one going to get hit), but all four of us survived, 10 fingers - 10 toes!<br /><br />Now, Robyn and I are having our usual flight at the local brewery. Seriously, breweries have popped up in the south/east. I like it!<br /><br />1 week and I have to be back at work?!? Crazy!<br />-M<br />Ps - we made it to Georgia! Aaaaannnddd we saw a first Jacksonville sign, tear. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9ksDxrs1Zzk/T-y_bWXLoBI/AAAAAAAAAfI/gp6hmW5jM9w/s640/blogger-image--729129003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9ksDxrs1Zzk/T-y_bWXLoBI/AAAAAAAAAfI/gp6hmW5jM9w/s640/blogger-image--729129003.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JQBOcspE4zA/T-y_by2slpI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/YzsMxxSc9sQ/s640/blogger-image-531668354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JQBOcspE4zA/T-y_by2slpI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/YzsMxxSc9sQ/s640/blogger-image-531668354.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lRYiDZRaYgo/T-y_cQFzF0I/AAAAAAAAAfY/UlGmyeQuKC0/s640/blogger-image--297731055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lRYiDZRaYgo/T-y_cQFzF0I/AAAAAAAAAfY/UlGmyeQuKC0/s640/blogger-image--297731055.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jk9Sy-KVzyc/T-y_cyxH4UI/AAAAAAAAAfg/g-TGhCo-YEY/s640/blogger-image-1075672275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jk9Sy-KVzyc/T-y_cyxH4UI/AAAAAAAAAfg/g-TGhCo-YEY/s640/blogger-image-1075672275.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KOJfj38XpbY/T-y_facSXDI/AAAAAAAAAfo/f8g1HPYphnk/s640/blogger-image--1475018787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KOJfj38XpbY/T-y_facSXDI/AAAAAAAAAfo/f8g1HPYphnk/s640/blogger-image--1475018787.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h0Hy4Z8Wvos/T-y_f7JKvdI/AAAAAAAAAfw/9FMFTdoEiGw/s640/blogger-image--382798028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h0Hy4Z8Wvos/T-y_f7JKvdI/AAAAAAAAAfw/9FMFTdoEiGw/s640/blogger-image--382798028.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-66061254328569073312012-06-27T18:48:00.001-07:002012-06-28T11:01:20.966-07:00Day twenty-six: dirt roads and boiled peanutsDowntown Charleston is beautiful! There are some amazing old buildings. Yesterday Doug and Alyshia showed us around the waterfront and we each enjoyed a tasty flight at the Southend Brewery. Then on home so Alyshia could make a delicious veggie casserole and we could wait for Jason, Ashley, Bailey and Perry. So awesome that Bailey and Perry were passing through town at the same time as us! We had a pretty much perfect little college reunion complete with too many photos and even some beer pong. Why can't all of our friends just live in the same plaaaaaaaace??????<br />Woke up far too early considering when I went to bed so we could beat the heat. Worth it. <br /><br />Longest day yet today at 85 miles. We were making good time and feeling fine when suddenly the road google maps had us on turned to dirt. The dirt road became pretty much a mountain bike path and then we hit a gate, by this time there was no going back for us and over the gate we went. Now, on some private land belonging to a hunting club, we rode as quick as we could trying to make to the paved safety of 17. Of course when we got to the next gate, we had to wade through a muddy puddle to get to the other side... where there was more dirt road. We were glad that it rained yesterday, on our rest day, so we were not on our bikes. It also had a cooling effect on the humidity today, but unfortunately a mud effect on the ground in places. The dirt road lasted for MILES, it was totally secluded and we weren't sure if animals, hunters, technical difficulties or deep south horror movie locals were going to get us, but we were certainly not at ease. The Deliverance banjo riff was playing pretty much on repeat in my head the whole time. When according to google we were finally getting close to the end of the sketchy, sketchy route it had put us on, the road became so muddy that, as a bonus, we got to walk out bikes the last mile or so. Our poor, dirty, non-mountain bikes! We were so excited to be on paved roads again that we turned the wrong way, went three miles out of our way and got to backtrack! Like I said, 85 miles.<br /><br />Not too much else happened apart from a (drunk?) creepy guy following us around when we stopped for a snack. Highlight: about Marie, "if she was alone, I would totally have her." No we do not want to come camp out on your property. Had my first ever boiled peanuts- delicious! I tried fried green tomatoes yesterday, it's true, anything is good if you bread and deep fry it.<br />Some of the people we had stayed with on warm showers had told us about Hannah and Ning, who were touring on our same route only a few days ahead of us. Our schedules finally synced up, and we are sharing a KOA campsite with them tonight and warm showers host tomorrow in Savanna. If you have never stayed at a KOA, they are swanky campgrounds. We had a refreshing dip in the pool, a hot shower and then even delivered a pizza to our site! <br />Linking up bike tours is my new favorite thing, even if only for a moment. It is great to get some new stories and mix up the pace. In true fashion with every bike tourer I have met so far, these two are rad. Looking forward to a lighter day tomorrow with some good company. <br />R<br /><br />I'm only going to add a bit, as I was asleep when Robyn entered the tent. Though we had a rest day yesterday, and I slept till 8, I was exhausted by 2pm. But, I had an absolute blast seeing my momma, it was nice to roam around a new city with her. I also had a good time meeting Robyn's friends from Bard, who were all really nice and a lot of fun (then I fell asleep waaaay early at 11pm). <br /><br />Things I learned today: go with my gut (I cannot tell you how many times I've had to relearn this), if something does not seems like a great idea - it's probably not. Just when I start to think, 'okay, that was out of my comfort zone' and assume nothing else thrown at me will be odd or throw me off, I corrected - someone else will happen. <br /><br />Other random thoughts: <br />Not using the fly on our tent? Brilliant. <br />Little frogs? Cute!<br />Exoskeletons from cicadas? Not cute. <br />Cicadas are SO LOUD. <br />Being a vegetarian on convenient store diet? Hard, bad idea. Stop in a grocery when you have he opportunity (don't be hasty Marie!).<br /><br />Until tomorrow,<br />-M<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tOHpp-edwTI/T-u37V1RAeI/AAAAAAAAAdA/CdE-vcE6isk/s640/blogger-image-1966031392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tOHpp-edwTI/T-u37V1RAeI/AAAAAAAAAdA/CdE-vcE6isk/s640/blogger-image-1966031392.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r0eGdjQLfMo/T-u_3pP-cHI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/RzA58Fuajnw/s640/blogger-image-1896446506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r0eGdjQLfMo/T-u_3pP-cHI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/RzA58Fuajnw/s640/blogger-image-1896446506.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vNGj7aKbzik/T-u34mgfZ9I/AAAAAAAAAco/jywsG5y0yrI/s640/blogger-image-1433125056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vNGj7aKbzik/T-u34mgfZ9I/AAAAAAAAAco/jywsG5y0yrI/s640/blogger-image-1433125056.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nK8h8IKEre0/T-u379KZw_I/AAAAAAAAAdI/--AtustDsnk/s640/blogger-image-1566019414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nK8h8IKEre0/T-u379KZw_I/AAAAAAAAAdI/--AtustDsnk/s640/blogger-image-1566019414.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ye8Bf06Iftg/T-u_4MdWH3I/AAAAAAAAAeY/DL3o6yFFfhU/s640/blogger-image-261973184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ye8Bf06Iftg/T-u_4MdWH3I/AAAAAAAAAeY/DL3o6yFFfhU/s640/blogger-image-261973184.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XBEc05to--o/T-u36wX0noI/AAAAAAAAAc4/JjKsNa-zYio/s640/blogger-image-2034514634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XBEc05to--o/T-u36wX0noI/AAAAAAAAAc4/JjKsNa-zYio/s640/blogger-image-2034514634.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gCFvKbf4oQU/T-u36avOR4I/AAAAAAAAAcw/ey4XiENRB6Q/s640/blogger-image--1267549361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gCFvKbf4oQU/T-u36avOR4I/AAAAAAAAAcw/ey4XiENRB6Q/s640/blogger-image--1267549361.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uFQp3lcB1v4/T-u_4bzzgzI/AAAAAAAAAeg/TPywXjk4-iM/s640/blogger-image--351816791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uFQp3lcB1v4/T-u_4bzzgzI/AAAAAAAAAeg/TPywXjk4-iM/s640/blogger-image--351816791.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ssj84GGhnj8/T-u_4---1jI/AAAAAAAAAeo/x028eJXTbpU/s640/blogger-image--1343014432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ssj84GGhnj8/T-u_4---1jI/AAAAAAAAAeo/x028eJXTbpU/s640/blogger-image--1343014432.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nOGmEIb3bqg/T-u38YSqfoI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/fbb7BgQtWBU/s640/blogger-image--1769439985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nOGmEIb3bqg/T-u38YSqfoI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/fbb7BgQtWBU/s640/blogger-image--1769439985.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-10613839028150353552012-06-27T03:36:00.001-07:002012-06-27T18:49:27.121-07:00YesterdayHad a very, very happy reunion with my Bard chums Alyshia, Doug, Bailey and Perry. More on that later, Marie and I are getting ready to head out for the day. Aiming for a campsite closer to Savannah than Charleston today, wish us luck! <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2mNMWiXCVLU/T-u4Hsl7rTI/AAAAAAAAAdY/jQPG6vsjZpQ/s640/blogger-image-1882657323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2mNMWiXCVLU/T-u4Hsl7rTI/AAAAAAAAAdY/jQPG6vsjZpQ/s640/blogger-image-1882657323.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7ByPcbln2i8/T-u4IMaOFPI/AAAAAAAAAdg/7c2Y4Mmarb8/s640/blogger-image--1007642611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7ByPcbln2i8/T-u4IMaOFPI/AAAAAAAAAdg/7c2Y4Mmarb8/s640/blogger-image--1007642611.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-euKp4NL4Rv4/T-u4I3XSBOI/AAAAAAAAAdo/O0uvV9QNbFQ/s640/blogger-image--1158054725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-euKp4NL4Rv4/T-u4I3XSBOI/AAAAAAAAAdo/O0uvV9QNbFQ/s640/blogger-image--1158054725.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nNZqh909Owg/T-u4JbsJG6I/AAAAAAAAAdw/GKkCfszVOCM/s640/blogger-image-1552618631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nNZqh909Owg/T-u4JbsJG6I/AAAAAAAAAdw/GKkCfszVOCM/s640/blogger-image-1552618631.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-90635879620073595622012-06-25T21:09:00.001-07:002012-06-25T21:09:58.282-07:00Woohoo! New State Day!Today, Robyn and I woke up to see some ominous clouds lurking out the window. We ate breakfast and said goodbye to Marcy, Truman, and Mogley. Thanks Marcy for being a wonderful host!!<br /><br />We got on our bikes, rode to through downtown Wilmington to the river to view the old battle ship (great suggestion!). Soon, we were on our way to South Carolina. For whatever reason (maybe bc it was our tenth day in a row riding?) I was dragging a bit today. Also, for whatever reason(s), I made it through the entire day without applying sunscreen. Smart Marie, smart - my body has not acclimated that much. Ouch. <br /><br />We arrived at the South Carolina boarder and took our obligatory 'new state photo.' Then, it was off to the Myrtle Beach area. Those pesky, skin-burning clouds held out with no rain until we sat down and waited for my mom to meet us! Yay mom! She's going to spend the day with me tomorrow, while Robyn catches up with old college comrades, on our rest day. I'll re-join Robyn tomorrow and get into mischief then (ok probably no mischief, really, we're old ladies now, remember?). Actually, this will be the long distance and time I've been separated from Robyn since our tour started. Bizarre. <br /><br />We fly home in a week, dang!<br />-M<br />Ps - Kate nicknamed Robyn and I, Kanga and Roo. I felt it necessary to take a photo in front of the gas station logo, just as Robyn decided to be a goober in the SC photo. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HRU4jUyw-_Y/T-k2Bw4KBII/AAAAAAAAAbg/vKixrT_7Unk/s640/blogger-image-1838056340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HRU4jUyw-_Y/T-k2Bw4KBII/AAAAAAAAAbg/vKixrT_7Unk/s640/blogger-image-1838056340.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UubruaHZJ_Q/T-k2ClQvtBI/AAAAAAAAAbo/39JGuzFpI3E/s640/blogger-image-678614595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UubruaHZJ_Q/T-k2ClQvtBI/AAAAAAAAAbo/39JGuzFpI3E/s640/blogger-image-678614595.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L9bZjJn3sRY/T-k2DG2HUEI/AAAAAAAAAbw/PoH772OpHYI/s640/blogger-image--972203106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L9bZjJn3sRY/T-k2DG2HUEI/AAAAAAAAAbw/PoH772OpHYI/s640/blogger-image--972203106.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l6XXE1fe1g0/T-k2D1TEnaI/AAAAAAAAAb4/HjhLTbNeIPc/s640/blogger-image-507968376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l6XXE1fe1g0/T-k2D1TEnaI/AAAAAAAAAb4/HjhLTbNeIPc/s640/blogger-image-507968376.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wVkqZrd1p9Q/T-k2ERziNPI/AAAAAAAAAcA/evyKqwtv6lo/s640/blogger-image-115191195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wVkqZrd1p9Q/T-k2ERziNPI/AAAAAAAAAcA/evyKqwtv6lo/s640/blogger-image-115191195.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PqZHnnf-5HU/T-k2FETx1JI/AAAAAAAAAcI/vul9aLnUiB4/s640/blogger-image--1154984997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PqZHnnf-5HU/T-k2FETx1JI/AAAAAAAAAcI/vul9aLnUiB4/s640/blogger-image--1154984997.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-11488342832597134802012-06-24T16:30:00.001-07:002012-06-25T21:10:19.475-07:00Grab Your KleenexRewind. Let's finish yesterday:<br />We got to the hotel, had a nice dip in the pool, showered and went exploring. Jacksonville! (NC, not Fla - this journey isn't finished yet kids). So, things to note about Jacksonville, NC: it's a military town, you cannot drive/bike/anything through the base unless you are a marine, it's a strip mall mecca. Also, there are no crosswalks for pedestrians, so no walking! Well, it's more like sprinting across 6 lanes of traffic. <br /><br />After that adventure, Robyn and I relaxed until my friend Scott, from high school, came to meet us for dinner. Not only does he drive 2.5 hrs, he treats us to dinner! Seriously, he was an awesome prom date (and friend) and has continued that until adulthood. It was really nice catching up. I have to admit, I love the friends that I have, that even after not seeing one another for 4 years, you can sit down and chat as if you had been keeping up with one another daily. <br /><br />Will full bellies, we said our goodbyes and promptly fell fast asleep. Funny how a 10:30pm bed time seems oh-so-late. We've turned into old ladies! <br /><br />This morning we awoke with the realization that this was our last day with our 'bike convoy.' We ate yet another delicious breakfast, packed, and took some group photos. So sad. We got rolling down Hwy 17, only a 53mi day today. A few stops, then all of a sudden we were in Wilmington! CVS on 17 and Gordon ::sniff:: was were we all stopped to say goodbye. Leaving Gary (Gar-bear), Kate and Kevin was so hard. It was great having other bike tourers around to talk to/laugh with/bike with. Just as they probably saw us as 'kids,' we were grateful to have some guidance. Plus, I laughed SO HARD, so much, with them. Robyn and I had to take a moment after leaving to collect ourselves. Wwwhheeeeewwww!<br />Bike tour convoy? I'm completely for it. <br /><br />Okay. Now that I'm re-collected, I can go on with this post. We are currently in, Wilmington, staying with Marcy, Harriet's boyfriend's mom. Super sweet and nice! We had a delicious vegetarian lasagna and now, Robyn's wish may just come true. We are going to go see Prometheus. <br /><br />Today is the first day where I could count the days to the end of trip easier than the days since the beginning. I have not counted any days to the end, but now since it is less than 10 days away, it's getting harder. My 'real life' back in Seattle seems so surreal. Woof!<br /><br />Cheers to another great day on bike tour!<br />Marie<br /><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J9DRfzP1zZU/T-ei9Z5LzdI/AAAAAAAAAao/5a89Whsv-U4/s640/blogger-image-1444599524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J9DRfzP1zZU/T-ei9Z5LzdI/AAAAAAAAAao/5a89Whsv-U4/s640/blogger-image-1444599524.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-84IJ5gNsWNg/T-ejAziBTTI/AAAAAAAAAbA/uyAD9dUAqwE/s640/blogger-image--410741085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-84IJ5gNsWNg/T-ejAziBTTI/AAAAAAAAAbA/uyAD9dUAqwE/s640/blogger-image--410741085.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HVyZfwCU9Y8/T-ei-ui1xfI/AAAAAAAAAa4/6KRL5nz1TW4/s640/blogger-image-317706392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HVyZfwCU9Y8/T-ei-ui1xfI/AAAAAAAAAa4/6KRL5nz1TW4/s640/blogger-image-317706392.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6hVL1hxNycQ/T-ei8LZmDaI/AAAAAAAAAag/9nfN6Eudd84/s640/blogger-image--1644189553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6hVL1hxNycQ/T-ei8LZmDaI/AAAAAAAAAag/9nfN6Eudd84/s640/blogger-image--1644189553.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a8qXO6TCk0I/T-ei-DKia5I/AAAAAAAAAaw/YFqk2RHtoM0/s640/blogger-image-1309958862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a8qXO6TCk0I/T-ei-DKia5I/AAAAAAAAAaw/YFqk2RHtoM0/s640/blogger-image-1309958862.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-65624222647472500452012-06-23T13:37:00.001-07:002012-06-23T14:06:21.667-07:00Day twenty-two: made it to Jacksonville! ...North CarolinaHad a nice and easy day. Did about 40 miles to another fabulous hotel! Who knew bike tour could be so cushy? It was hot but we had a breeze and some rolling clouds above us. Gary broke a spoke about ten miles in this morning but we were only a couple miles from a friendly bike shop. It's all good :)<br />RRAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-30846863512246837602012-06-22T18:55:00.001-07:002012-06-22T19:23:03.336-07:00Day twenty-one???: over the humpSome of you may have gleaned from Marie's posts that the last few days have been a little tough on me... But I am better now! The ocean swim last night was totally restorative. I washed off two days of headwind, plenty of sweat, a remarkable amount of sunscreen and the hottest day yet (no cloud cover thank you very much.) Marie has been a champ dealing with all of my whining. <br />Was a little bit cranky after getting up at 3:30, packing up furiously, riding 6 miles, grabbing a 5:00 ferry, then riding 13 miles to another ferry at 7:30, but I napped the whole two hour ride. <br />When getting off the boat we ran into a guy named Marty who is touring opposite of us from Jacksonville to Maine, he gave us some extra snacks, very nice. There were also three people on tour who had been on the boat with us who we had chatted with in passing, they were pulled into the conversation and Marie and I decided to see if we could caravan with them. Fabulous decision! Kate, Kevin and Gary proved to be great company and similarly paced, a great fit for us! Together we battled yet another day with constant headwind and no cloud cover. Be it the new blood or the realization that ibuprofen might be a good solution for my sore tush, today was so much better than the last two.<br />We even changed our plans from making it to a warm showers yard to camp when they invited us to stay with them in a hotel in Pine Knolls. The last ten miles were a bit dicey when traffic picked up and so did the wind. Ultimately, we made it the the Hampton Inn and snuck all of our bikes in the back. The hotel room is actually giant and perfect with a pullout couch just for me and Marie. Thanks Gary for using those timeshare points! We plan on sticking with them for the next couple days till Wilmington. Here's to staying positive.<br />R<br /><br />PS - We saw 12 bunnies on Orcacoke Island. There was a group of boy scouters that kayaked 50mi that infiltrated my dreams. The 2.5 hr ferry was $3 for one plus a bike! Gelatin is lame and in so much unnecessarily! Whoever said Chicago was the windy city had not been to the NC coast. Everything I consumed today came out of my pores. AT&T is insufficient on the East Coast.<br />BIKE TOUR CONVOY!<br />-M<br /><br />That is twelve alive bunnies, one dead one.<br />R<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h7gjRJYXqEM/T-Uh_9NqdII/AAAAAAAAAZA/5aTKvz9xcOM/s640/blogger-image--9703971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h7gjRJYXqEM/T-Uh_9NqdII/AAAAAAAAAZA/5aTKvz9xcOM/s640/blogger-image--9703971.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xcNvHF7CU20/T-UiAwT4BfI/AAAAAAAAAZI/FxMvcMw1LcU/s640/blogger-image--1283588520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xcNvHF7CU20/T-UiAwT4BfI/AAAAAAAAAZI/FxMvcMw1LcU/s640/blogger-image--1283588520.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eyD7Sd9dUFQ/T-UiBiRTUBI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/GNq2mVx187E/s640/blogger-image-1573633487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eyD7Sd9dUFQ/T-UiBiRTUBI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/GNq2mVx187E/s640/blogger-image-1573633487.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VV_2cBwzy54/T-UiCUiQgRI/AAAAAAAAAZY/ezbjvbmHHRo/s640/blogger-image--1642950011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VV_2cBwzy54/T-UiCUiQgRI/AAAAAAAAAZY/ezbjvbmHHRo/s640/blogger-image--1642950011.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fxQ9cv2ix4U/T-UiC6mMYTI/AAAAAAAAAZg/1L_kDG2ne6M/s640/blogger-image--456798129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fxQ9cv2ix4U/T-UiC6mMYTI/AAAAAAAAAZg/1L_kDG2ne6M/s640/blogger-image--456798129.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KEPaAXei-ag/T-UiDvVY36I/AAAAAAAAAZo/fuTz_gUTwSk/s640/blogger-image--116695469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KEPaAXei-ag/T-UiDvVY36I/AAAAAAAAAZo/fuTz_gUTwSk/s640/blogger-image--116695469.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dl93I913bPc/T-UiEv0JgiI/AAAAAAAAAZw/PkIZqTd9OBA/s640/blogger-image-810112354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dl93I913bPc/T-UiEv0JgiI/AAAAAAAAAZw/PkIZqTd9OBA/s640/blogger-image-810112354.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-81gpQ3Na2GE/T-UiGagTASI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/ANZDowIow7g/s640/blogger-image-380054226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-81gpQ3Na2GE/T-UiGagTASI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/ANZDowIow7g/s640/blogger-image-380054226.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SR156Hjb6WA/T-UiGwxinNI/AAAAAAAAAaA/S1pbLgYydn8/s640/blogger-image-1881765623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SR156Hjb6WA/T-UiGwxinNI/AAAAAAAAAaA/S1pbLgYydn8/s640/blogger-image-1881765623.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-50758241923328414522012-06-22T17:05:00.001-07:002012-06-22T17:05:41.492-07:00Nothing Like Riding 40 mi for Your Cup of JoeYes, it's true. I rode 40 mi for a cup of coffee - well, it was on the way. We also were out of fuel, so I couldn't make the last little bit that I had. <br /><br />After getting an unrestful night's sleep, with the peacocks howling and the yet fly flapping, we managed to get on our bikes and bust out 40 miles by 11:30. We stopped for a while at a cafe to eat a bit, rest from the sun, and charge some devices. <br /><br />We then biked on down the Outer Banks, which was beautiful. A big sand dune in a lot of places, with little refuge from the sun. Nearing the 'elbow' of the island, we stopped in a plaza to get food from the grocery store, toothpaste and such, and more fuel. A quick stop at the Hateras Lighthouse and we were on our way in search of a campsite for the evening. I had called ahead to a few near the ferry we needed to get on the next morning, but they were all $45+. Making my disapproving face, we biked toward them, but came upon a state park campground that was less than half the price. <br /><br />Rolling in, we unloaded our bikes, set up our tent, then hit the water. Yes, this campsite was a short walk from the beach. The water was a good temperature to have fun in, while the sunset around us. A cold shower followed, then we began cooking. Robyn opened a can with the swiss army knife (I merely stabbed holes in it) while I prepared spicy mac and cheese. With full bellies, we laid down for another unrestful sleep. Robyn was worried about animals since we were close to a lot of shrubs/thick greenery, and the flapping of the fly from the wind kept us both tossing and turning. <br /><br />An early morning wake up call - 3:30am - so we could pack up, bike 6.5 mi to the ferry, to catch the 5am ferry, is how we are beginning our day. <br /><br />Almost the weekend!<br />-M<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BRjgR6pwARc/T-UIJBH3vBI/AAAAAAAAAXU/LCOQtXV5bKc/s640/blogger-image-1120464624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BRjgR6pwARc/T-UIJBH3vBI/AAAAAAAAAXU/LCOQtXV5bKc/s640/blogger-image-1120464624.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TWiNmIji8GE/T-UILaevnvI/AAAAAAAAAXc/C5oJPvu8mzo/s640/blogger-image-1289948065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TWiNmIji8GE/T-UILaevnvI/AAAAAAAAAXc/C5oJPvu8mzo/s640/blogger-image-1289948065.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JJLKzIjhCWM/T-UINhW0b1I/AAAAAAAAAX0/N5ONTIO2zFY/s640/blogger-image--1272991677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JJLKzIjhCWM/T-UINhW0b1I/AAAAAAAAAX0/N5ONTIO2zFY/s640/blogger-image--1272991677.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yZufzUEM2LI/T-Q7iOhLQdI/AAAAAAAAAWo/bK1Z4cvpBfQ/s640/blogger-image--1073743961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yZufzUEM2LI/T-Q7iOhLQdI/AAAAAAAAAWo/bK1Z4cvpBfQ/s640/blogger-image--1073743961.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f3I-ZEG-I7U/T-UIPKI0mJI/AAAAAAAAAX8/nzXsITyCyLw/s640/blogger-image-860849576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f3I-ZEG-I7U/T-UIPKI0mJI/AAAAAAAAAX8/nzXsITyCyLw/s640/blogger-image-860849576.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EvpyinmcJgg/T-UIQFjXFuI/AAAAAAAAAYE/NAo38RqhYkQ/s640/blogger-image-1634522209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EvpyinmcJgg/T-UIQFjXFuI/AAAAAAAAAYE/NAo38RqhYkQ/s640/blogger-image-1634522209.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4y1C2l8aKlg/T-Q7hveZPzI/AAAAAAAAAWg/7CWsDkkuURs/s640/blogger-image-1724632326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4y1C2l8aKlg/T-Q7hveZPzI/AAAAAAAAAWg/7CWsDkkuURs/s640/blogger-image-1724632326.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b1EBbriSXrE/T-Q7ioHtX5I/AAAAAAAAAWw/slnX87cOugg/s640/blogger-image--1997914819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b1EBbriSXrE/T-Q7ioHtX5I/AAAAAAAAAWw/slnX87cOugg/s640/blogger-image--1997914819.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M3nH5XXVtNY/T-Q7i3crPfI/AAAAAAAAAW4/wGNANHe5aos/s640/blogger-image-989358115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M3nH5XXVtNY/T-Q7i3crPfI/AAAAAAAAAW4/wGNANHe5aos/s640/blogger-image-989358115.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TlNx-G4DvhE/T-UIR2nAgBI/AAAAAAAAAYM/SREtXWe8Hq0/s640/blogger-image-148557729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TlNx-G4DvhE/T-UIR2nAgBI/AAAAAAAAAYM/SREtXWe8Hq0/s640/blogger-image-148557729.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ksBkYgYNyxQ/T-UITJzIZlI/AAAAAAAAAYU/ArAATIJ4FvU/s640/blogger-image-739765016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ksBkYgYNyxQ/T-UITJzIZlI/AAAAAAAAAYU/ArAATIJ4FvU/s640/blogger-image-739765016.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D2TfhzXFcTw/T-UIUaQ7INI/AAAAAAAAAYc/YLkrngQi3vg/s640/blogger-image-902283337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D2TfhzXFcTw/T-UIUaQ7INI/AAAAAAAAAYc/YLkrngQi3vg/s640/blogger-image-902283337.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-73530892519857492642012-06-21T09:41:00.001-07:002012-06-21T09:41:06.057-07:00Bonus: road killThat is all I am going to write about, feel free to skip. Don't worry, I will spare you photos.<br /><br />We have seen quite a bit of road kill in the last 850 miles of our lives, I am gaining quite an appreciation for the different types.<br />Of course there are the different animals and where they occur regionally. There have been plenty of turtles, but I think I didn't see my first one until outside of DC. Deer were very popular in Virginia, saw about four or five but all within that state. Opossums and raccoons have been fairly consistent throughout, at least one a day. I am not sure how there are any squirrels left alive in these united states. Seriously. Those things must reproduce like what all, knowing that thirty percent or so will be wiped out by passing cars alone. Rabbits are a bit more careful or quick, only seen about four corpses. Good thing, it is harder to see the cute animals torn up. I had never seen a dead bird on the side of the road until this trip, now I have seen many. Not sure how they fall victim to cars, poor flight plans I guess. Saw a really pretty yellow bird today and a pelican on one of the bridges. We are even in a wildlife refuge. I did see one baby alligator/crocodile tail, the most rare square on my road kill bingo card.<br />The state of decay is also of note. Somehow the most pleasant seems to be mystery pelt, a dried out flat bit of skin and fur often bleached beyond even color recognition. The half decomposed, exposed skeleton are perhaps the most fascinating, like a biology lesson laid out on the side of the road. A tie for my least favorite between the less fresh recent dead, by far the stinkiest and generally covered in flies, and the very fresh recently dead, the horror of their final moments still frozen on their furry faces. That sort of trauma sticks with you.<br />We saw a dead kitten this morning, probably prompting this post in a weird way. Tiny, all grey, so vulnerable, luckily it was faced down and we were spared that particular image.<br />RRAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-58783443656421187062012-06-20T19:07:00.001-07:002012-06-20T19:07:41.396-07:00North Carolina! We'll be here for the next 4 days.Marie is updating the post because if Robyn updated it would sound like this:<br />'Long, flat, hot, butt hurt.'<br /><br />I cannot deny, today had all of those aspects, my butt even started to hurt. I lay here now listening to the frogs, cicadas, and howling peacocks, in our slowing cooling down tent, in which Robyn swears we have a bug. Personally, bugs give me the heebie geebies, so I'm going to pretend that is false. <br /><br />This morning started off with a fabulous breakfast, Kim baked before she went to work! Delicious apple pie, cereal, coffee, mmmm. We said goodbye to Kim and Dave and we're headed toward NC by 8am. Getting started early is key now, as the sun definitely is a scorcher, especially when there are no clouds. <br /><br />Quicker than I anticipated, we crossed over the North Carolina border! We spent four nights in Virginia! Crazy how we crossed so many New England states in the same amount of time! This is the last new state for me on this journey. At high noon (is there a low noon I wonder?) we took a two hour lunch break/rest/nap, so our tushies could rest and we could get out of the sun. <br /><br />Trekking on, we crossed a loooooong bridge into the Outer Banks. After a quick stop at the visitor's center, we headed to the beach so Robyn could rest and I could play in the water. I love the water. I could watch it for hours, fascinating. <br /><br />After a nice dinner, we headed to the campsite. I am a little curious as to where heck we are? We roll up and there is a peacock walking around (and then howling (screeching) later). Robyn says it sounds like Kevin from up.<br /><br />We are now bathed (in something other than our own sweat and sunscreen) and hopefully falling asleep early so we can get up early to avoid some sun. Though, during our break tomorrow, I'm going to try to even out my awesome tan lines. <br /><br />Best wishes,<br />-M<br /><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HLil_l6WyUc/T-KB4OJF4mI/AAAAAAAAAVM/nOZTH2vjWVc/s640/blogger-image-1568393106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HLil_l6WyUc/T-KB4OJF4mI/AAAAAAAAAVM/nOZTH2vjWVc/s640/blogger-image-1568393106.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-15jFMACMOEI/T-KB4jjFWdI/AAAAAAAAAVU/QeJj3vF6kGI/s640/blogger-image--2141604179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-15jFMACMOEI/T-KB4jjFWdI/AAAAAAAAAVU/QeJj3vF6kGI/s640/blogger-image--2141604179.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Dsj3kRgPuW4/T-KB5Hr9iaI/AAAAAAAAAVc/eJ8jibHPP54/s640/blogger-image-1295266563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Dsj3kRgPuW4/T-KB5Hr9iaI/AAAAAAAAAVc/eJ8jibHPP54/s640/blogger-image-1295266563.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Np3mQ8uyNao/T-KB5rzQBfI/AAAAAAAAAVk/C0hIngiShzo/s640/blogger-image-1848990189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Np3mQ8uyNao/T-KB5rzQBfI/AAAAAAAAAVk/C0hIngiShzo/s640/blogger-image-1848990189.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DMrXQ0C4uGc/T-KB6AocGVI/AAAAAAAAAVs/JaCqqAmUEEE/s640/blogger-image--602662626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DMrXQ0C4uGc/T-KB6AocGVI/AAAAAAAAAVs/JaCqqAmUEEE/s640/blogger-image--602662626.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aFRencvw08A/T-KB6qoD8dI/AAAAAAAAAV0/tzCQDtxGWmE/s640/blogger-image-100977796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aFRencvw08A/T-KB6qoD8dI/AAAAAAAAAV0/tzCQDtxGWmE/s640/blogger-image-100977796.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nRXPYPngv84/T-KB66ewAwI/AAAAAAAAAV8/6VoI-t6tXeI/s640/blogger-image--166346260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nRXPYPngv84/T-KB66ewAwI/AAAAAAAAAV8/6VoI-t6tXeI/s640/blogger-image--166346260.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-26597135324203205972012-06-19T21:02:00.001-07:002012-06-19T21:02:53.612-07:00Witty Titles Aren't My ThingWaking up and seeing a spider on the outside of your tent? AHH! <br /><br />Virginia State Park at Chippokes is wonderful. We had a good night, rested well, I woke up and cooked breakfast while Robyn packed up the tent. Soon we were on our bikes and headed toward Virginia Beach. Nothing out of the ordinary today as far as biking goes. We went over four descent sized bridges, saving the scariest for last. Also adding more traffic each time. It was a smoldering 93 degrees today, though not so bad for me, but Robyn says it felt like she was being baked alive. We stopped for a snack and then headed to Kim's home where we were met by her boyfriend, Dave. We showered, chatted merrily and read some of the Adventure Cycling magazines. Later, Kim came back from her twice a week 40+/- mi bike ride that she leads, and we had a filling dinner including pasta and stuffed mushrooms. After exchanging different cycling stories, Robyn and I headed off to bed. If we have not mentioned it, this is our, 'long stretch'. 10 straight days of biking. No big deal. :D Ha!<br /><br />Tomorrow - the Outer Banks! Stoked!!!<br />-M<br />Ps - Ask Robyn how many flats she has gotten the next time you talk to her. And the last picture is of Clarence, Kim's doggie. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jjLw33iHn38/T-FLZdhnx2I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/pAJR96N_TcI/s640/blogger-image--1986520031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jjLw33iHn38/T-FLZdhnx2I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/pAJR96N_TcI/s640/blogger-image--1986520031.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jbnGCq9x-HQ/T-FLZzfpkgI/AAAAAAAAAUY/NDUAh24DmBQ/s640/blogger-image-622041409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jbnGCq9x-HQ/T-FLZzfpkgI/AAAAAAAAAUY/NDUAh24DmBQ/s640/blogger-image-622041409.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wJrxJsOGDPM/T-FLaaH5rXI/AAAAAAAAAUg/oXeBr57XD9k/s640/blogger-image-563796870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wJrxJsOGDPM/T-FLaaH5rXI/AAAAAAAAAUg/oXeBr57XD9k/s640/blogger-image-563796870.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PmXvGQnGd9g/T-FLarroYzI/AAAAAAAAAUo/g8JlGnuqaBo/s640/blogger-image-925374420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PmXvGQnGd9g/T-FLarroYzI/AAAAAAAAAUo/g8JlGnuqaBo/s640/blogger-image-925374420.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uR8CQmfeQCU/T-FLbKC2VZI/AAAAAAAAAUw/PvDXKXg-fSA/s640/blogger-image--1669661818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uR8CQmfeQCU/T-FLbKC2VZI/AAAAAAAAAUw/PvDXKXg-fSA/s640/blogger-image--1669661818.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-52223366751804125112012-06-18T18:30:00.001-07:002012-06-18T18:30:34.274-07:00I stopped counting days...It's an interesting feeling, when you wake up after 7.5 hours of sleep and still feel exhausted. At 8am we had our gear packed, bikes loaded, and were on the road. Getting a load of miles done early makes me feel good. We can rest midday if needed, take a long lunch, etc. We biked about 40 miles to Spring Grove, Va and ate some lunch. Mostly processed foods, not going to lie, being a vegetarian in smaller places doesn't leave you a lot of options, plus biking has made us think everything sounds delicious. After an hour and half break (along with some postcard writing) we continued own toward Chippoke State Park. We rolled in a little before 4pm, got a campsite and set up our tent, then went exploring. We discovered a large swimming pool, that was solely ours for most of the time, showered, and started preparing dinner. Quinoa with sweet potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, green peppers and spices. Healthy, flavorful dinner. I think the camp stove and I work well together. <br /><br />After cleaning up, we both are now retiring early. Tomorrow we are going to be in Virginia Beach and then we will head down the Outer Banks. <br /><br />Favorite part of the day? I stopped to save a turtle from the middle of the road - within minutes a large log stuck zoomed by. <br /><br />Goodnight,<br />-M<br /><br />Remember when I said I had felt every emotion on this trip? I was wrong. P<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZqYAeEaMNg4/T9_V9cV6vnI/AAAAAAAAATM/LQ0JpvdRouQ/s640/blogger-image-528226212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZqYAeEaMNg4/T9_V9cV6vnI/AAAAAAAAATM/LQ0JpvdRouQ/s640/blogger-image-528226212.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dqKvNVd8xCI/T9_WBSndn-I/AAAAAAAAATU/D7DEl1WQ9jo/s640/blogger-image--1292233946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dqKvNVd8xCI/T9_WBSndn-I/AAAAAAAAATU/D7DEl1WQ9jo/s640/blogger-image--1292233946.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JusIrureABE/T9_WDmpJ37I/AAAAAAAAATc/x27g9UoweK0/s640/blogger-image--1886019849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JusIrureABE/T9_WDmpJ37I/AAAAAAAAATc/x27g9UoweK0/s640/blogger-image--1886019849.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q-qCH1GjInE/T9_WMGPS4vI/AAAAAAAAATs/8LUf8MbhiBI/s640/blogger-image--872576297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q-qCH1GjInE/T9_WMGPS4vI/AAAAAAAAATs/8LUf8MbhiBI/s640/blogger-image--872576297.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FhNtG3qWcqM/T9_WN-XQbRI/AAAAAAAAAT0/5_rH1AYGeo0/s640/blogger-image--531883528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FhNtG3qWcqM/T9_WN-XQbRI/AAAAAAAAAT0/5_rH1AYGeo0/s640/blogger-image--531883528.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-16700984923325903302012-06-18T16:55:00.001-07:002012-06-18T17:05:12.506-07:00Hold on to your seats kids, this is going to be a bumpy rideThere are not enough words for yesterday. Interesting night camping, followed by my chain breaking in the morning. We made it to Richmond, Va safely. <br />-M<br />If this is enough info for you, close the screen now. Read on with warning. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />SO, the day is Saturday. We were in no where Virginia at about 60 miles at about 6 o'clock and about ready to settle for the night. This was our first day using the adventure cycle maps and there was a store icon coming up then nothing for MILES. We figured we would pull up to a grocery store, get some dinner supplies and ask about potential camping around the area. Finally we pull up to not a nice country grocery as we had hoped, but the sketchiest, isolated convenience store we have seen yet. Where to camp?!?<br />There was a church sign, something along the lines of, 'no church for seven days makes one weak.' we thought maybe someone there could point us to a good spot, no dice, it was empty. Pulled up to a friendly looking house to ask about camping in the yard, no one home. Just as I was asking Marie, 'isn't everyone supposed to be on their porches drinking sweet tea?' we saw some people doing just that. Or at least on their porch. The patriarch seemed wary about letting us camp on the yard, but grandma stepped in and said it didn't bother her. She did ask if we had a gun, not sure if that was for our protection or hers... Not terribly friendly but they gave us the green light so we figured it would be okay.<br />We set up our tent on the corner of their property next to the road in accordance with the wishes of the man. I felt exposed, everyone in town would know we were there, that comforted Marie. Not wanting to set the field on fire by cooking or impose on the chilly folk by using the bathroom, we ate some dried fruit and a cliff bar then hit the tent when it got a bit cooler for an early night. We heard some neighbor kids commenting on the light in our tent which put me on edge a bit, but despite that and feeling sticky, I eventually drifted off to sleep.<br />SUDDENLY I am awake and disoriented, I let out a scream, something is on our tent! Just as soon it is gone and Marie, mace in hand, and I are upright as a car drives away. Trying to gain my bearings I start to wonder, did an animal just attack us? No. Some mean little punk with nothing better to do JUMPED on us at 2:30 in the morning. Lucky our tent is so strong, thank you Danny! Marie watched the road through a crack under the rain fly and we listened for any signs of our assailant's return. What could we do, where could we go? It was the middle of the night in the middle of no where. I guess that was enough fun for them as they didn't come back. Took us quite a while but we eventually got back to sleep for a little more rest. <br /><br />SUNDAY Happy father's day!<br />Got up and got out EARLY in the morning wanting to put as many miles between us and Nookesville, VA as possible. One mile into our journey Marie stopped suddenly. Her chain had literally come apart at one of the links. While I was preparing to walk 35 miles to the next real town (and the closest bike shop) and cursing the state of Virginia, Marie managed to gerryrig her chain back together with a crescent wrench and a multitool. I was impressed to say the least, nobody can deny that girl has excellent fixin skills. Still I was convinced we weren't going to make it five miles, but I said nothing in case superstition has a base in reality. Not only did we make it five miles, we made the next five and the five after that until fourty miles later we were in Fredricksberg.... where the bike shop is closed on Sundays. We stopped into an ale house to have a beer and regroup. That town is pretty cute if you are ever in Virginia. <br />We decided that while it was miracle the chain had made it that far, it was not going to make it the next 54 to Richmond and the next available bike shop. We then made a choice. A choice that may be judged by people sitting comfortably at their computer or internet device with a specific idea of what bike tour should be.... tired, traumatized, not prepared to lose a day or for anymore dicey situations just yet- we decided to rent a car. Of course the only car rental place that was open on Sunday closed in just under an hour. We busted ass and the chain graciously held out for five final miles. Renting cars is expensive if you didn't know, another reason to dislike them. On the other hand went in an hour what would have taken a day to ride... We went to the only (of many) bike shops open in Richmond and got Marie a new chain and me some brake pads and headed to legend brewery for some victory? defeat? drinks and food. They have some tasty beers.<br />Our series of unfortunate events ended at the red roof inn, the cheapest place to stay next to the airport. Our final extravagance: a good nights sleep to get us started on the second half of our trip. Great transition... Still, ten fingers, ten toes. We are safe and still positive and ready to take on the rest of this beast of a trip. Hopefully the bad luck has run out.<br />R<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4LtH3m6I2LI/T9_Bqi-UGaI/AAAAAAAAASA/4RSCIgSSFNE/s640/blogger-image--1345728391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4LtH3m6I2LI/T9_Bqi-UGaI/AAAAAAAAASA/4RSCIgSSFNE/s640/blogger-image--1345728391.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3HO3KKC-y3Y/T9_BuC_LeFI/AAAAAAAAASI/Ohy87p0dvqY/s640/blogger-image--2138804524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3HO3KKC-y3Y/T9_BuC_LeFI/AAAAAAAAASI/Ohy87p0dvqY/s640/blogger-image--2138804524.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vHARCYY7sHk/T9_Bx1N4vSI/AAAAAAAAASQ/z1fi_SxTpgQ/s640/blogger-image-794596329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vHARCYY7sHk/T9_Bx1N4vSI/AAAAAAAAASQ/z1fi_SxTpgQ/s640/blogger-image-794596329.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q1nZ7qFhbtU/T9_CJIwhYZI/AAAAAAAAASg/HASdDA-G1Tk/s640/blogger-image--1452669332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q1nZ7qFhbtU/T9_CJIwhYZI/AAAAAAAAASg/HASdDA-G1Tk/s640/blogger-image--1452669332.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jU6oy7FF4UI/T9_CLKNiVgI/AAAAAAAAASo/2x4zf_simKY/s640/blogger-image--245900981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jU6oy7FF4UI/T9_CLKNiVgI/AAAAAAAAASo/2x4zf_simKY/s640/blogger-image--245900981.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SD67teRS0NI/T9_CNFRM_vI/AAAAAAAAASw/Gsz5E0yyhTM/s640/blogger-image-1909009008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SD67teRS0NI/T9_CNFRM_vI/AAAAAAAAASw/Gsz5E0yyhTM/s640/blogger-image-1909009008.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-37201739658019904812012-06-17T20:40:00.001-07:002012-06-17T20:40:41.044-07:00Day sixteen - forgot to blog more on that laterSafe in Richmond, VA. Time for sleep. Got some... good? stories for you soon though.RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-56436856646236345712012-06-16T08:30:00.001-07:002012-06-16T08:30:52.511-07:0010th 'state' in 10 days! WootYesterday was a glorious rest day. It began with sleeping in, breakfast with Matt and Leshia, then Robyn and I heading to the zoo. We roamed around and M&L met up with us. We then watched the octopus, Pandora, for awhile. Fascinating. She (?) was putting on a show. We then got Chipotle, which for the first time, I ate the entire burrito in one sitting. We grabbed some froyo and said our goodbyes to Matt and Leshia. We ran a few errands, stopped at a bike shop, and headed down to the Washington Mall. Took a few touristy photos and found Pete and Anna. The four of us made our way to Artomatic - which was an office building (that may be torn down soon?) that was taken over by artists that were displaying their work. It encompassed 11 floors. So, much, art. After mentally exhausting our brains, and exhausting our legs a little, we headed back to DC. We said goodbye to Pete and Anna on the metro then went back to to pack and wrench on our bikes. <br /><br />Currently, we are taking a pit stop in Mount Vernon, VA. Thanks to Ted we are using Adventure Cyclings' maps for the rest of our trip starting today. The first 20 mi have been very enjoyable so far. They got us out of the city with minimal car traffic (some ped traffic) with a beautiful view of the Potomac River. <br />Happy Saturday everyone!<br />-M<br />PS - BikeSpace had an awesome outdoor set up to wrench on your own bike. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R2sCU_Zr-UY/T9ymehamG5I/AAAAAAAAAPc/o_irXm6PkIQ/s640/blogger-image--1176293050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R2sCU_Zr-UY/T9ymehamG5I/AAAAAAAAAPc/o_irXm6PkIQ/s640/blogger-image--1176293050.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hs0jnew2Oac/T9ymfYbdUAI/AAAAAAAAAPk/bDT-ijl1UGw/s640/blogger-image--100860829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hs0jnew2Oac/T9ymfYbdUAI/AAAAAAAAAPk/bDT-ijl1UGw/s640/blogger-image--100860829.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TJal-DmbI2c/T9ymmKleb6I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/nI0q8sDehNU/s640/blogger-image-1090365500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TJal-DmbI2c/T9ymmKleb6I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/nI0q8sDehNU/s640/blogger-image-1090365500.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HqSm8D7y638/T9ymnQvbigI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/m-QcnYoo5Ss/s640/blogger-image--2027033617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HqSm8D7y638/T9ymnQvbigI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/m-QcnYoo5Ss/s640/blogger-image--2027033617.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F2GIE29ApJw/T9ymoHUHMrI/AAAAAAAAARE/gXcG0ZYhx_o/s640/blogger-image-442798031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F2GIE29ApJw/T9ymoHUHMrI/AAAAAAAAARE/gXcG0ZYhx_o/s640/blogger-image-442798031.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g5ctjyvIig0/T9ymoxcC2iI/AAAAAAAAARM/4lf4TUUm2Ww/s640/blogger-image--825340128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g5ctjyvIig0/T9ymoxcC2iI/AAAAAAAAARM/4lf4TUUm2Ww/s640/blogger-image--825340128.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kfkGr1KTT3M/T9ympe0ePDI/AAAAAAAAARU/1OeoGuRQ7EE/s640/blogger-image-1601455237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kfkGr1KTT3M/T9ympe0ePDI/AAAAAAAAARU/1OeoGuRQ7EE/s640/blogger-image-1601455237.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--E-WnBRKXyI/T9ymqORbCwI/AAAAAAAAARc/bHZnq1J7V9s/s640/blogger-image--1886052847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--E-WnBRKXyI/T9ymqORbCwI/AAAAAAAAARc/bHZnq1J7V9s/s640/blogger-image--1886052847.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t-k0kaqR1rU/T9ymq-3gnII/AAAAAAAAARk/yrJATYq6I64/s640/blogger-image--1100640946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t-k0kaqR1rU/T9ymq-3gnII/AAAAAAAAARk/yrJATYq6I64/s640/blogger-image--1100640946.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-65315746070833656222012-06-15T22:37:00.001-07:002012-06-15T22:37:30.532-07:00Day fourteen - great day in DCMy new favourite weather, warm with some cloud cover. <br />Went to the zoo (where there are no koalas...) and we're fascinated by the invertebrates<br />Had a tasty lunch with Matt and Leshia, said goodbye so they could get to Colorado<br />Stoked up on necessary bike parts (finally going to break in that hard, hard saddle)<br />Checked out the national mall for a hot sec and met up with Pete and Anna<br />Rounded out the day with 'artomatic'<br />More details on that tomorrow, rest now before the adventure continues early in the am<br />R<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h-hUkenJtI4/T9wbmLnbSKI/AAAAAAAAAPE/WVHSNamoDME/s640/blogger-image-1187686918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h-hUkenJtI4/T9wbmLnbSKI/AAAAAAAAAPE/WVHSNamoDME/s640/blogger-image-1187686918.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-39654467929436268982012-06-14T19:49:00.001-07:002012-06-14T22:03:53.862-07:00Day thirteen - the kindness of people we knowWoke up refreshed! Took Benadryl for sun hives last night, apparently that makes you sleepy... Not sure the beer helped. <br />Had a glorious catch up with Eliza this morning, thank you so much for breakfast! Marie's friend Noah stopped by fresh off playing on a cruise ship and bought the third round of mimosas. Then we biked 54 miles.<br />Today was pretty much my favourite day of biking yet. We took the bike Washington route from Baltimore to DC and encountered fewer cars than we have in a day the entire trip. Kudos Christine! It was nice and sunny but not too hot due to the intermittent cloud cover and shade producing trees. Even ended up on some bike only paths for a while. It was not unhilly but I was so excited to have some room and quiet that I have already glossed over that part. <br />It became less ideal when the trail we were on was closed due to construction. It was late afternoon already due to the breakfast catching up and we were baking in the sun with up to ten miles left to go. No choice but the apparently unavoidable city entering turmoil. We survived despite a few wrong turns on some terribly nonintuitive streets. Church vs chapel? Big difference. In some cruel twist of fate the steepest long hill we have conquered yet was the last before we reached our resting place. Marie fell over on her bike twice today. Made it all the way up though and we have a REST DAY TOMORROW! First in five days. We have the ten day stretch coming up. Uhhhhhhh. <br />Going to the national zoo which is free and allegedly has two koalas, we shall see. <br />Already love Marie's friends Matt and Leshia who have, in true form with this trip, been absolutely gracious hosts. Looking forward to spending the day with them tomorrow.<br />We have talked a lot on this trip about the kindness of strangers, but I would like to take a moment to point out how lucky we are to know so many fabulous people who are so good to us. Thank you family and friends for your support and making sure our lives are not hard.<br />R<br />"I see the rock, I hit the rock" - Marie<br />Bike tour tip: I know everyone gives this bike tip but I was a doubter until 3 days in, CHAMOIS (shammy) BUTTER. Converted.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w_2_VCZq0V8/T9q63UDHoZI/AAAAAAAAAN0/-tngTjyBPNo/s640/blogger-image--1641965700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w_2_VCZq0V8/T9q63UDHoZI/AAAAAAAAAN0/-tngTjyBPNo/s640/blogger-image--1641965700.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-89Edwj6-B7A/T9q62sKqgMI/AAAAAAAAANs/ISfNATQiiwA/s640/blogger-image--590754506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-89Edwj6-B7A/T9q62sKqgMI/AAAAAAAAANs/ISfNATQiiwA/s640/blogger-image--590754506.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CGiiz6lT13w/T9q65E3EndI/AAAAAAAAAOU/4M_wkDP-ghY/s640/blogger-image--1492660110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CGiiz6lT13w/T9q65E3EndI/AAAAAAAAAOU/4M_wkDP-ghY/s640/blogger-image--1492660110.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v2H6RG8-lW0/T9q63nm6CbI/AAAAAAAAAN8/FocUlqDUdeE/s640/blogger-image--1918131293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v2H6RG8-lW0/T9q63nm6CbI/AAAAAAAAAN8/FocUlqDUdeE/s640/blogger-image--1918131293.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JV5GystG8jA/T9q64MTe9EI/AAAAAAAAAOE/AgnCyYPrvUQ/s640/blogger-image-842297885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JV5GystG8jA/T9q64MTe9EI/AAAAAAAAAOE/AgnCyYPrvUQ/s640/blogger-image-842297885.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vwTcpaROMaA/T9q66Gc5otI/AAAAAAAAAOk/xuXsSL5mkJ0/s640/blogger-image--57573265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vwTcpaROMaA/T9q66Gc5otI/AAAAAAAAAOk/xuXsSL5mkJ0/s640/blogger-image--57573265.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qaFt_tpd1Vc/T9q66hZFMqI/AAAAAAAAAOs/-HJdjTp2LZM/s640/blogger-image-2068947410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qaFt_tpd1Vc/T9q66hZFMqI/AAAAAAAAAOs/-HJdjTp2LZM/s640/blogger-image-2068947410.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sz8w2Aym3Qo/T9q65riHF4I/AAAAAAAAAOc/XFMhJRjaeaY/s640/blogger-image-1967327215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sz8w2Aym3Qo/T9q65riHF4I/AAAAAAAAAOc/XFMhJRjaeaY/s640/blogger-image-1967327215.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VVwOaevQSXI/T9q64kZU8vI/AAAAAAAAAOM/OLji_8EtSqo/s640/blogger-image-1356940659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VVwOaevQSXI/T9q64kZU8vI/AAAAAAAAAOM/OLji_8EtSqo/s640/blogger-image-1356940659.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-66883792464087610542012-06-13T19:59:00.001-07:002012-06-14T20:42:32.282-07:00Day twelve - everything is easier when it is not rainingWe are in Baltimore. I like this town. Marie can write more if she wants, I am going to sleep!<br />R<br /><br />Marie is going to write more. ;)<br />Today started off with sunshine and a light breeze, lifting our spirits. We said our goodbyes to Ted, Sue, Kyle and Karen and were on our way. Everything seemed smoother and more manageable than yesterday. One task at hand, that we had about 20 miles to think about, was how to get across the Susquehanna River. Many bridges did not allow bikes and the one that did was under construction. Assuming luck would be on our side, we decided to take the shorter route and 'cross that bridge when it comes.' Ha, ha. When we rolled into Perryville, sure enough bikes could not cross - not even if we dismounted. Fortunately, there was a nice gentleman (Ben) with a truck who let us load our bikes in the flat bed and gave us a lift. <br /><br />Bridges are such an obstacle for cyclists. I am amazed. Also, getting in and out of cities is difficult. Once we are in the city, it's great, bike lanes exist, people are a little bit more aware. Unfortunately, that is not case for the suburbs. Our host tonight, Christine let us know about Bike Washington's route to get to DC, do we are going to try that route tomorrow. <br /><br />The day went pretty well. Stopped a few times in the shade to snack and drink water, had some rolling hills, life was going well. Then, Robyn got her second flat, second day in a row. After pumping the tire and getting back on the bikes, I noticed her tire still did not look right. The&nbsp;jostling&nbsp;of the tube ripped the valve off the tube. Whoops. Change in tube #3 for Robyn. <br /><br />After that, we stopped for some ice-cream and headed into Baltimore. Though it was a little hectic, it definitely has been the easiest city to get into, we'll see how the exit goes. We got to downtown in the evening and roamed around the harbor. We took our typical fountain photo, strolled by the water, and got asked a few times if we were touring and why. People are so inquisitive, we try to answer all their questions as best as possible, so hopefully they will think about touring or maybe try it themselves. <br /><br />Baltimore seems pretty rad. It is the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and there are numerous tall ships here in honor of it. Also, instead of tearing down loads of buildings, they have renovated older ones and kept some of the colonial feel (there are plenty of modern buildings as well). <br /><br />Tonight we are staying with Christine, who I met off of warmshowers, she has been super nice and we are looking forward to a good night's rest. <br /><br />Until tomorrow (DC!),<br />-M<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8SJrrq5_tp4/T9lgNf2PJRI/AAAAAAAAAMk/8shxyu5RBY0/s640/blogger-image-2118587481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8SJrrq5_tp4/T9lgNf2PJRI/AAAAAAAAAMk/8shxyu5RBY0/s640/blogger-image-2118587481.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IwltnyNIshA/T9lgPceIrvI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Rxzj4UPziak/s640/blogger-image-274642867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IwltnyNIshA/T9lgPceIrvI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Rxzj4UPziak/s640/blogger-image-274642867.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bl-Yb0A4ZlE/T9lgQDKxWkI/AAAAAAAAAM0/yvMD1DFXwWg/s640/blogger-image-1895582018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bl-Yb0A4ZlE/T9lgQDKxWkI/AAAAAAAAAM0/yvMD1DFXwWg/s640/blogger-image-1895582018.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-29o-4KUdHLQ/T9lgQ9k7cqI/AAAAAAAAAM8/KuJrwerWtV8/s640/blogger-image-1846776586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-29o-4KUdHLQ/T9lgQ9k7cqI/AAAAAAAAAM8/KuJrwerWtV8/s640/blogger-image-1846776586.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BJu37a8O_v0/T9lgRsHpHCI/AAAAAAAAANE/zkYK3dlMDYc/s640/blogger-image--218167391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BJu37a8O_v0/T9lgRsHpHCI/AAAAAAAAANE/zkYK3dlMDYc/s640/blogger-image--218167391.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ugHEFyi3KB8/T9lgScuMLVI/AAAAAAAAANM/Yjf17KKP4Eo/s640/blogger-image-1193986260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ugHEFyi3KB8/T9lgScuMLVI/AAAAAAAAANM/Yjf17KKP4Eo/s640/blogger-image-1193986260.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I5DwEXm7uCw/T9lgTV3lyMI/AAAAAAAAANU/BvYDrust-SU/s640/blogger-image-353646071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I5DwEXm7uCw/T9lgTV3lyMI/AAAAAAAAANU/BvYDrust-SU/s640/blogger-image-353646071.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-20574639659893788002012-06-12T19:09:00.001-07:002012-06-12T20:15:03.760-07:00Day eleven - PA ECG: D-Rain. All. Day.<br />What we are consistently finding on this trip is that it is hardest to get in and out of cities and over bridges. Philly is BY NO MEANS an exception. Especially because you have to go over a bridge to get in and out of the city. I had the scariest moment yet on our trip today when crossing a wet drawbridge with no shoulder. Slippery. My legs were shaking after.<br />Not a lot of shoulders in general today, more taking up the right line while cars zoomed by splashing us. We went through puddles deeper than our ankles and at one point a car sent a comically, cinematic sized wave literally over my head. We were on the East Coast Greenway for the second time and now know that it is not all paved, separated, two lane bike paths. <br />It wasn't all bad. The rain was nice enough to take a break when I got the first flat of the trip (biking day seven, not bad!) and it didn't start again until a while after I put in a new tube while Marie patched mine. She is so good to me, my great navigator, if I have not mentioned it before I want to say how lucky I am to be on this trip with her! Davey would be proud, the wild dogs of the post apocalypse would not have caught up to us while we fixed that flat...<br />After the change in weather and tire accomplishment, I was feeling pretty much like I could do anything and as though I had defeated the bike trip. Then it started raining again. We went 52 miles today but I am as tired as if we had gone 100. Weather really, really effects how a bike day goes whether it be cold or hot, dry or wet, windy... Positively too- you can get a great tail wind and you just sail along, we have had two days like that.<br />The guys at The Bike Boutique in Wilmington, DE were nice enough to give us some air and advice and even hold on to our bikes and gear while we got a much needed bite to eat. We finally made it to the house of some incredibly nice folks off warmshowers.org at around 6. Big shout out to Ted and Sue for being absolutely amazing hosts!<br />Seven states in seven biking days and Maryland tomorrow, that is, if we find a way over yet another bike unfriendly bridge. Bike tour!<br />R<br /><br />Somethings Robyn didn't mention:<br />Yesterday&nbsp;Robyn thought she saw a fake deer - but when she looked over it was actually a real deer.&nbsp; She got so freaked out and gasped at how close it was, that she freaked me out as well.&nbsp; The headline will read, "One deer takes out two bicyclists without touching them."<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>We stopped and saw the Rocky Steps today, aka the Philadelphia Arm Museum and also the Liberty Bell before&nbsp;attempting to bike out of&nbsp;the city.<br /><br />Also, today Robyn and I got seperated.&nbsp; I had a mild panic attack while I was at the top of a hill and could not see Robyn.&nbsp; Typically&nbsp;we can hear one another&nbsp;behind us from rolling over debris or our chains, etc, but with the rain&nbsp;today it made that harder.&nbsp; Trying to avoid traffic,&nbsp;I got too far ahead after a light and zoomed up a hill and when I got to the top I looked back and she wasn't there.&nbsp;&nbsp;A moment of anxiety, I biked down the hill and found her.&nbsp; We hadn't been seperated more than 40 feet from each other except for that moment, and probably won't be the rest of the trip.<br /><br />A positive for the rain: it gave our skin a break and our hives healed up, though Robyn's is shedding skin from her 2nd day burn.<br /><br />Chai tastes 10 times better after you have biked 40 miles in the rain.<br /><br />Lastly, Robyn is making us doing a 'tip of the day while touring.'&nbsp; I forgot yesterday's: 'It's good to have a tuperware, no food should go to waste when you are this hungry.'<br /><br />Today's: Put newspaper in wet shoes to soak up all the moisture.&nbsp; I really, really, really hope that one works!<br />-M<br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ET5P_y4xtHk/T9f2aiy3fYI/AAAAAAAAAMA/514IQS3PZAk/s640/blogger-image-107903031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ET5P_y4xtHk/T9f2aiy3fYI/AAAAAAAAAMA/514IQS3PZAk/s640/blogger-image-107903031.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9wMn8GPPz_o/T9f2aNvcfrI/AAAAAAAAAL4/GuAFm27eink/s640/blogger-image-1904258829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9wMn8GPPz_o/T9f2aNvcfrI/AAAAAAAAAL4/GuAFm27eink/s640/blogger-image-1904258829.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-77wY1L_zVeo/T9f2brmsNMI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/8ItdNezbkO0/s640/blogger-image--354391668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-77wY1L_zVeo/T9f2brmsNMI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/8ItdNezbkO0/s640/blogger-image--354391668.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8KiqK7Z7SOg/T9f2bDmWFwI/AAAAAAAAAMI/n6eeN7d2kMI/s640/blogger-image-1671467692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8KiqK7Z7SOg/T9f2bDmWFwI/AAAAAAAAAMI/n6eeN7d2kMI/s640/blogger-image-1671467692.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-86629047521688316922012-06-11T21:34:00.001-07:002012-06-12T19:31:35.093-07:00Philly!I just want to start of this post by saying, this trip has humbled me. Personally, I have felt every emotion imaginable more than once and intensified. There is a lot of time during the day to think, rethink, and over think. Everything. I have had some really high, highs, as well as really low, lows. I don't think anything could have prepared me for that. Another humbling aspect is the kindness of strangers. I had started to become very jaded about our society, with everything we hear about in the news, that I was overlooking the good that still existed. This trip has opened up my hope for the future in America. I'm truly grateful for all the kind people we have been given the opportunity to interact with and the hospitality both friends and strangers have shown us. <br /><br />With all that said, on to today! I'm rather tired, so this may be brief. <br /><br />We started off the morning saying goodbyes to Peri, Lindsey, Doug, and Daphne. We stopped by the beach for a few quick photos and headed out. For those of you who don't know, the main reason for this trip's route is because I have never been to New England and have not seen much of the east coast. Today was biking day 6, and we went to a 6th different state. All six of these states, I had never stepped foot on - minus maybe an airport. To get to Philadelphia from the NJ shore, it was a pretty straight shot. We were greeted w a US Navy blimp. We then pedaled, and pedaled, then pedaled more. Fortunately, it was not blazing hot so our skin got some<br />rest for the better part of the day. A few stops here and there to eat, hydrate and rest, we made it to the outskirts of Philly after 65 miles. We hopped on the light rail to avoid a sketchy part of town we warned about. We hopped off at City Center, stopped at a beautiful fountain and headed to my friend from UHS/UNI, Ruth's apartment. A quick shower, change of clothes, and we were ready for a good meal. We ate Ethiopian food (a first for me) and it was great. <br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We came back to Ruth's and I started fighting with my handle bar tape, and finally got one side done. Ruth came home and we got to mingle and catch up, plus see a little bit more of the city. </div><br />Now, I must go and shut my eyes before they do it for me in this post. <br /><br />Big thanks to Ruth for letting is stay!<br /><br />Goodnight,<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">-M</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WqUoqmEtRbY/T9bHaxqltMI/AAAAAAAAAK0/RFLhta5omzU/s640/blogger-image--918204322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WqUoqmEtRbY/T9bHaxqltMI/AAAAAAAAAK0/RFLhta5omzU/s640/blogger-image--918204322.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l7fNwC04fuc/T9bHcZ4ZlgI/AAAAAAAAALc/9JjKDgSsGSA/s640/blogger-image--399428234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l7fNwC04fuc/T9bHcZ4ZlgI/AAAAAAAAALc/9JjKDgSsGSA/s640/blogger-image--399428234.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vi0lA_wy4Bg/T9bHaYjVS3I/AAAAAAAAAKk/gs92n-6CjGo/s640/blogger-image--677520870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vi0lA_wy4Bg/T9bHaYjVS3I/AAAAAAAAAKk/gs92n-6CjGo/s640/blogger-image--677520870.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ku2U9kOPDyE/T9bHalnIvWI/AAAAAAAAAKs/OHzDnPQqhIQ/s640/blogger-image-858526973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ku2U9kOPDyE/T9bHalnIvWI/AAAAAAAAAKs/OHzDnPQqhIQ/s640/blogger-image-858526973.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oNBUXL6mGlo/T9bHcNtyhKI/AAAAAAAAALU/mUOkf10-Gdg/s640/blogger-image--505999356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oNBUXL6mGlo/T9bHcNtyhKI/AAAAAAAAALU/mUOkf10-Gdg/s640/blogger-image--505999356.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YOslQtvhWKY/T9bHbQiNZZI/AAAAAAAAAK8/-LanTW5a4TY/s640/blogger-image--613445277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YOslQtvhWKY/T9bHbQiNZZI/AAAAAAAAAK8/-LanTW5a4TY/s640/blogger-image--613445277.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CPQvfXwObVs/T9bHb436X9I/AAAAAAAAALM/lHsuY0HHjvE/s640/blogger-image--1189730331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CPQvfXwObVs/T9bHb436X9I/AAAAAAAAALM/lHsuY0HHjvE/s640/blogger-image--1189730331.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722985704920410856.post-29788797744343518502012-06-10T20:27:00.001-07:002012-06-11T04:46:39.875-07:00Day nine - there's a place off ocean avenueStarted off early today to catch the first ferry to Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Had our last oh-so-delicious New York bagel then headed to the Brooklyn Bridge... To find it closed for construction! Not knowing another bike accessible way to get to the island, Marie almost convinced me to ride on the car part of the Manhattan Bridge. I decided I was uncomfortable at the last minute and we hunted for a sneaky way across the Brooklyn Bridge only to find a Manhattan Bridge bike lane. Whew. <br />The ferry was nice but brief and being bulky, bag laden bike folk we took up the bow and were able to offload first. <br />The rest of our day was pretty much spent riding along the beautiful, sandy shore (on ocean ave) of New Jersey in the sun. Maybe too much sun as we both ended up with a bit of heat rash. <br />We stopped for lunch at Surf Tacos which was quite tasty. Marie got yet another sticker for her water bottle that is quickly running out of available space.<br />Decided that since we were so close we might as well check out where the infamous show took place, headed to Seaside Heights and saw some overly tan people walking down the boardwalk followed by cameras and cops. Saw a lot of overly tan people honestly.<br /><br />It is amazing how many people see you loaded down with bike gear, recognize that you are on a tour and strike up a conversation. As we were headed out of the grocery store toward 11 more miles of biking to an overly priced campsite riddled with sun overexposure, we ran into some such people. They, without hesitation, offered to put us up for the evening and for the third time we ended up with a place to sleep and fantastic company for the evening. Right off the beach. Do not think of the Jersey shore as only Guido stereotypes, there is a diverse community, some of whom are friendly, welcoming folk. Thank you so much Lindsey and Peri! It is even their six year anniversary today. The bike touring community is absolutely amazing and we are totally grateful to be a part of it. <br />R<br />PS bike tour tip: you can lock your bike up outside a grocery store and bring all of your junk inside IN A SHOPPING CART! No one need wait outside or carry anything! Brilliant, thanks Cooper.<br /><br /><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O0pcIbn41-Q/T9VlOBJwQII/AAAAAAAAAJw/Xy300aC7py8/s640/blogger-image--49018774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O0pcIbn41-Q/T9VlOBJwQII/AAAAAAAAAJw/Xy300aC7py8/s640/blogger-image--49018774.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BxcRBIR8Zqs/T9VlOedLYjI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/ND0yRHOTw4M/s640/blogger-image-27945070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BxcRBIR8Zqs/T9VlOedLYjI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/ND0yRHOTw4M/s640/blogger-image-27945070.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wBuGYaF_YD4/T9VlnyTkJRI/AAAAAAAAAKA/WqEZqENm8jU/s640/blogger-image-772314383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wBuGYaF_YD4/T9VlnyTkJRI/AAAAAAAAAKA/WqEZqENm8jU/s640/blogger-image-772314383.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1I6RDBlRHfc/T9Vln4mmc1I/AAAAAAAAAKI/-9pCS9xz710/s640/blogger-image-1654064872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1I6RDBlRHfc/T9Vln4mmc1I/AAAAAAAAAKI/-9pCS9xz710/s640/blogger-image-1654064872.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1OX6zPoFDIw/T9Vlof49zSI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/PfdNP5BAk8c/s640/blogger-image-516629718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1OX6zPoFDIw/T9Vlof49zSI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/PfdNP5BAk8c/s640/blogger-image-516629718.jpg" /></a></div>RAM Americahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085098164090061253noreply@blogger.com2